Door latch mechanism housing



Dec' 13, l955 w. F. GRESHAM Erm. 2,726,891

DOOR LATCH MECHANISM HOUSING Filed April 29, 1950 '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 /f/f@ BY f/m rme/vsy.

Dec. 13, 1955 w. F. GREsHAM ErAL 2,726,891

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DOOR LATCH MECHANISM HOUSING Filed April 29, 1950 'WSheetS-Sheet 3lima-im. y @lil/lll! AN/c [u VERMONT, I/I//.L/AM JZ' GQESHAM,

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INVENTORS.

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DOOR LATCH MECHANISM HOUSING Filed April 29, 1950 7 ShBe'LS-Sheet 6 14g;f A

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DOOR LATCH MECHANISM HOUSING 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed April 29, 1950 F/WKL/ VEQMOA/y; Why/JM GQESHAM, MAL/@ME KOMPAN/Ez,

JNVENTORS.

Z/Mw ,4free/Ex United States Patent DOOR LATCH MECHANISM HOUSING WilliamF. Gresham, La Crescenta, Maurice Kampanien, Los Angeles, and Frank W.Livermont, Duarte, Calif., assignors, by mesne assignments, toAlexandria Kompaniez, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application April 29, 1h50, Serial No. 159,042

8 Claims. (Cl. 292-337) This invention relates to latches and locks fordoors.

It is well known to provide a door lock in which a key must be used toopen the latch, the keyhole being formed at the center of a knob, andthe locking function being effected by a locking button located at thecenter of the other knob. Such door sets are adapted to lock outsidedoors.

In addition to such door sets, other types of door latching devices arein common use. A simple door latch, for closets or for interior doors,is often used, in which the mere turning of either knob serves toretract the latching bolt. In such instances, both door knobs are plain,and no locking button or lock is provided.

Doors leading to a patio or porch are often provided with another formof lock. In such patio door latches, provisions are made, as lby a pushbutton on the inside knob, for locking the door. However, nokey-operated opening device is provided on the outside knob, so that,when the push button is operated to lock the door, the door can beunlocked only from the inside.

In bathroom or bedroom locking devices, another form of door latch isused. In this form, a locking push button is provided, available frominside the room; and an emergency key slot is provided in the knob onthe outside of the room. The opening implement, in such instances, neednot be a key, but, instead, may be a knife blade, screw driver blade, orthe like; or else, any key may be used for this purpose.

For use on outside doors, the latch is provided with a lock, such as acylinder lock, which is accessible for operation by a key from theoutside of the door. A push button locking device is manipulable on theother side oi the door to lock it.

It is one of the objects of this invention to make it possible toutilize identical or standard parts for many of the elements in all ofthese four forms of door latches,

thereby reducing the number of separate elements that mustbe made forsupplying any of these locks.

Thus, for example, the bolt and its retractor, or latch grip, may beidentical for all of the door sets, as well as the escutcheon plates andthe casing. Accordingly, Vto

convert the simplest form of door latch, having no locking provisions,to one with a push button lock, only a few substitutions and additionsare necessary.

When packaging the door sets, the manufacturer merely selects theelements from stock to correspond to the particular type of door setrequired.

lt is another object of this invention to simplify the manufacture ofdoor sets, and particularly by making it possible to produce many of theelements by relatively simple stamping operations.

lt is still another object of this invention to make it unnecessary toperform precision work for the operating parts.

lt is still another object of this invention to provide a door setcapable of being used with doors of ditferentv thicknesses'withoutrequiring'special parts.

ICS

It is still another object of this invention to facilitate installationof the door set, making it unnecessary to use any tool except a screwdriver.

When an outside latch is used, it is Vcommon to provide a lockingmechanism that prevents withdrawal of the bolt from latching position byprying. It is another object of this invention to improve and simplifysuch mechanism.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objectswhich may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of severalembodiments of the invention. For this purpose there are shown a fewforms in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the presentspecification. These forms will now be described in detail, illustratingthe general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood thatthis detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, sincethe scope or the invention is best dened by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a plan View of the latch mechanism shown as installed in adoor, the door being shown in section;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view of the door latchmechanism with the associated parts of the door;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View, taken along a plane correspondingto line 3-'3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an 4enlarged vertical sectional View, taken along a planecorresponding to line 4-'4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is -a view similar-'to Fig. 4, but showing the latch in retractedposition;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view similar to Fig. 2, andillustrating the manner in which the locking bar may be held in lockedposition;

Fig. 7 is a view, similar to Fig. f6, illustrating the retractedposition of the locking bar;

Fig. S'is a sectional View, taken along a plane corresponding to lineV3--8 of Fig. 6, but with the ligure placed so that the locking barappears in horizontal position;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of that knob and its associated mechanism,which includes the .key-operated cam spindle for opening the latch;

Fig. l0 is a sectional View, taken along a plane corresponding to line10--10 of Fig. 3;

Fig. l1 is a view, similar to Fig. l0, illustrating the manner in whichthe parts shown in Fig. 10 may be assembled and taken apart;

Figs. 12 and 13 are sectionalviews, taken along planes corresponding tolines 12-12 and 13-13 of Fig. 3;

Figs. 14 and 15 arefragmentary views illustrating the manner in whichthe door latch mechanism may be accommodated to doors of differentthicknesses;

Fig. 16 isa View, similar to Fig. 6, of a modified form of push buttonoperated lock mechanism, and shown in the locked position;

Fig. 17 is a view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 16, illustrating thelocking bar in released position;

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the spring hook member for holding thelock bar in Figs. 16 and 17 in locking position;

Fig. y19 is a fragmentary view, taken along a plane corresponding toline 19-19 of Fig. 16.

Fig. 20 is an exploded perspective view of the lock mechanism in which akey-operated lock is utilized;

Fig. 21 is an exploded perspective view of the retractible latch and thelatch grip associated therewith;

Fig. 22 is a view, similar to Fig. 2, partly in section, showing thesubstitution of parts to convert the door latch mechanism to a bathroomor emergency type of latch;

Fig. 23v is a perspective view of the key-operated parts utilized inconnection with Fig. 22;

Fig. 24 is a fragmentary View, partly in section, of a door knob thatmay be substitutedV for any of the door knobs in the door latchmechanism;

Fig. 25 is a horizontal sectional view of the latch bar and associatedmechanism, taken along a plane corresponding to line 25--25 of Fig. 4; n

Fig. 26 is a sectional view. taken along a plane correspending to line26-26 of Fig. 25;

Fig. V27 is an exploded perspective view of the latch mechanism shown inFig. 25;

Fig. 28 is a perspective view of a striker plate utilized with thisinvention;

Fig. 29 is a perspective view of the cap utilized in connection with thepush button lock bar;

Fig. 30 is a perspective view of one of the spindles and its associatedparts;

Fig. 3l is an end view of the spindle shown in Fig. 30;

Fig. 32 is a side view thereof;

Fig. 33 is an opposite, side View thereof;

' Fig. 34 is a sectional view, similarV to Fig. 25, of a modi- Yfiedform of latch bolt;

Fig. 35 is a sectional view. taken along a plane correspending to line35--35 of Fig. 34; and

Fig. 36 is an exploded view of some of the parts of the structure shownin Fig. 34.

The door 1, in which the latch mechanism is to be installed, has athrough bore 3 (Figs. l, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 22). A horizontal bore 4,transverse to the bore 3, accommodates the latch bolt mechanism andintersects the bore 3. A striker plate 5 (Figs. l, 2, and 28) isattached to the door iamb or frame 6 against which the retractible latchbolt 7 may strike in the usual manner when the door is closed. Thisstriker plate has an arcuate edge 180 where it is exposed. Corners areeliminated,.ensuring against accidental hooking or tearing of garments.

As is common in this type of `lock mechanism, the maior parts of thelatch bolt operating mechanism are supported by a housing structure 2(Fig. V1). This structure is inserted into the borev 3 after theretractible latch bolt structure 8 is inserted into the bore 4. Thismode of assembly serves to couple the mechanism 2 to the latch boltstructure 8. as will be explained hereinafter.

After the structures 2 and 8 are thus placed in operative relation. theknob or handle structures may be applied to cam spindles projecting inopposite directions from structure 2.

The latch bolt 7, in the mechanism illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4,extends to the right of the knob; but the same structure may be soassembled as to placethe latch bolt toward the left. Furthermore/,thelatch bolt 7, as indicated in Fig. 1, is located to engage the strikerplate 5 by movement toward the right. Nevertheless, the Vbolt may bereadily positioned, when installing the latch, to face the latch bolt inthe opposite direction to that shown.

The latch bolt structure 8 may be held in place by a retaining plate 9(Figs. l, 2, 4, 5, 25 and 27). This plate is flush with the edge of thedoor, and is held in place as by the wood screws 10 (Fig. 4) i By theaid of this invention, various tvpes of door sets may be provided. Inthe simplest form of door set, no key lock of any kind is provided. Theknobs or handles on each side of the door may simply be turned toretract the latch bolt 7.

This fundamental simple door set (used for closets or intercommunicatinginterior doors, or the like) may be altered to provide a patio or porchset, a bathroom set,`

or an outside door set.

The housing 2 includes sheet metal parts that may readily be assembledand manufactured by simple stamping and bending operations.Fundamentally, the housing 2 includes a stamped sheet metal housingmember 11V (see, particularly, Figs. 3, 4, and 20). This is of generallyU-shaped configuration. The free ends V12 of the legs forming theU-shaped configuration are inwardly directed for engaging a part of thebolt mechanism 8 vwhen structure 2 is inserted in bore 3.r For thispurpose, the bolt mechanism S is provided with an end plate, or Vcap 13(Figs. 21, 25, and 27). This cap is held in the end of the cylindricalhousing 14 in which the retractible latch bolt 7 is slidable. Thishousing or barrel 14 may be Welded, or otherwise permanently attached,to an arcuate extension `15 of the plate 9.

The cap 13 is assembled with the barrel 14, as by the aid ofdiametrically opposite projections 16 formed on cap 13. Theseprojections interengage with corresponding slots 17 at opposite sides ofthe barrel 14 (Fig. 27) These projections are turned down ontherexterior of barrel 14. The projections, such as 13, formed by theslots 17 are Y turned inwardly against the outer face of the cap 13, as

indicated most clearly in Fig. 2l. Projections 19 of barrel 14, are ofsubstantial width, and extend over the anges 20 of the plate 13. Theseflanges have outwardly turned ends 21 which interlock with the inwardlyturned ends 12 of the housing member 11. TheV plate 13 is also providedwith a rectangular aperture 22 (Fig. 27) for the passage of a pull baror rod 23 that is connected with the latch bolt 7 (see Figs. 25 and 26).

To form the sides of the housing 2, a pair of generally circular plates24 and 25 is provided (see, particularly, Figs. 2, 3, 14, l5, and 20).Each of these plates is provided with four rectangular apertures 26.Through these passages 26 the projections 27, formed on the edges of thelegs of casing member 11, are accommodated. By turning these projections27 after they have been inserted in the apertures 26, the plates 24- and25 are rmly held against the edges of the member 11 to form the completehousing. The projections 27 are undercut (Fig. 20) with a sloping cut28, the slopes serving, when these projections are turned, to urge theplates 24 and 25 into close contact with the edges of the housing member11.

The latch pull rod 23 (Figs. 25 and ^26) is formed in this instance as asubstantially U-shaped, stamped, or

' punched member having a T-h'e'ad 29 (Figs. 4 and 5).

This T-head is adapted to be pulled inwardly to the position shown inFig. 5 by the aid of a sliding latch grip strucw pull bar 23 is pulledinwardly to release thev latch bolt 7 from the striker plate 5.

' The legs of the member 36 are spaced apart to t in ak slidable mannerbetween the legs of the housing member 11. A cross brace or plate 32,also formed of a stamping, extends centrally across from one leg to theother of the member 30. ln order to hold this cross plate 32 in place,the legs of the member 30 are provided with the edge slots 33. Each ofthe slots 33 has a deep portion 34 accommodating the projections 35located on opposite sides of the plate 32. The Vplate 32 is accordinglyheld in place within the deep portions 34 of slots 33. The member 30 isresilient enough to permit the assembly of the parts 30 and 32.

Furthermore, the legs of the member 30, in the free position, convergetoward the free ends of these legs. Ac-

cordingly, there is a resilientV force holding the plate 32l in placeafter the assembly is completed.

In order to lubricate the sliding latch grip member 30 in the housingmember 11, a small quantity of lubricant, such as grease, is placed inthe shallow recesses 42 (Figs. 4, 5, and 20) formed in the opposed legsof member 11.

The right-hand surface of the plate 32 (as seen in Fig. 4) acts as a camsurface which may be operated by cam spindles, to be hereinafterdescribed, for moving the latch grip member 30 to the left forretracting the latch bolt 7.

A spring 36 (Figs. 4, 5, and 20) is provided for urging the plate 32and, consequently, the latch grip 30, to the right when the cam spindlesare not operated; This spring plate 32. This cam plate 32 is providedwith struck-up projections 3S to serve as a restraint for the inner endof the spring 36. The plate 32 also has a ridge 39 extendingtransversely across the plate 32 for permitting passage of a locking barto be hereinafter described.

The upper end of the spring 36, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 22, engages theinner surface of the end of the housing member 11.

For operating the latch grip 30, a pair of cam spindles is provided. Onecam spindle 40 projects to the left of the door 1, as shown in Figs. 2and 3. lt is rotatably accommodated within the hub 41 integral with theside plate of housing 2. As shown most clearly in Figs. 20, 30, and 3l,this spindle is rolled from flat sheet metal.

Cam spindle 40, being formed of sheet metal, has a narrow slot 45. Theoutside diameter of this spindle 40, when it is in free position, isslightly greater than the inside diameter of the sleeve portion 46 ofthe door handle or knob 47 (Figs. l, 2, 3 and 20). This door knob andits sleeve are appropriately shaped of thin sheet-metal. Accordingly,when the door knob 47 is assembled with the cam spindle 40, the camspindle is frictionally held within the sleeve 46. Close tolerance,accordingly, need not be maintained in this operation. The inner end ofthe cam spindle is cut away to form the arcuate portion 4S extendingbeneath the plate 32 of the latch grip 30. This arcuate portion hasoutwardly extending cam projections 49 which overlie the plate 32.Accordingly, rotation of the spindle 40 in either direction will causeretraction of the latch grip 30, and the latch bolt 7 is withdrawn. I

The cam projections 49 closely overlie the inner surface of a washer 43held in a recess on the inner side of end plate 25. Accordingly,movement of spindle 49 outwardly of the housing 2 is prevented.

Spindle 49 is attached to the sleeve 46 of knob 47 in a manner mostclearly illustrated in Figs. 2, 3, 6, 20, 30, 3l, and 32.

As shown in Fig. 2, a sleeve or extension 5t) is heid within the knob47. The left-hand end telescopes over the inwardly turned ange 51 of thedoor knob 47. This extension has a diameter corresponding to that ofspindle 40.

The extension 50 is formed of rolled metal, providing a relatively wideslot 51a (see, also, Fig. 30). At diametrically opposite places of thesleeve 50 are the slots 52 and 53. Slot 53 is a wider extension of slot51a. Both of these slots have the same dimensions; and they are adaptedto accommodate the two projections 54 and 55 of spindle 46. Eitherprojection may be accommodated in either slot, thus making it possibleto assembie the spindle to actuate a bolt that extends either to theleft or right of the knob 47. Thus, as shown in Fig; 20, the latch bolt7 is intended to beat the left of knob 47, since the cam extensions 49of spindle 40 face' to the right, as viewed from knob 47. However, inFigs. 2 and 4, the cam spindle 4l) is placed so that the carn extensionsface to the left of the knob; and, accordingiy, the latch bolt 7 extendsto the right of the knob.

Projection 55 is slightly undercut to provide transverse slots 195(Figs. 30 and 3l).

The projection 54 is provided with a through aperture 56 (Fig. l2). Thisthrough aperture is in alignment with a corresponding rectangularaperture 57 lin the sleeve portions 46. When assembling the parts', anarcuate spring lock member 58 is iirst disposed within the spindle 49(Figs. 30), its radial projection 59 passing through aperture 56. Thisprojection is carried at one extremity of the arcuate member 58.Thisrnember 58 has an angular extent greater than 180. At the other endof the arcuate member 58, there is a wider projection 6G thatlisaccommodated in the undercut slot 195 (see- Fig. 12). As' shown-mostclearly in Fig. 33, vone edge 185 of projection 54 is deeper than the'opposite-edge 6 in order to place the deep side on the same plane as thebottom of the slots 195.

The sleeve 46 of knob 47 is first placed over sleeve 50; the inwardlydirected lip 61 at the edge of the sleeve 46 passes through slot 51auntil this lip 61 clears the righthand edge of the sleeve 50; then thesleeve 50 and knob 47 are relatively turned until this lip is inalignment with one of the slots 196 or 197 disposed at opposite sides ofspindle 40. The angular movement between sleeves 5d and 46 causes thelip 61 to lock the sleeve 5) in place within the knob 47. Then lockingprojection 59 is depressed to permit entry of the spindle 40 into knobsleeve 46 and through opening 57. As soon as opening 57 aligns with theaperture 56, the projection 59 snaps into locking position. Removal ofthe knob 47, with the spindle extension 50, can be effected by urgingthe projection 59 inwardly.

When a simple door set is to be utilized, the knob 47 may be removed,and a knob 198 (Fig. 24) may be substituted therefor.

The spindle 4d is adapted to be located on the inside of the door 1. Onthe outside of the door 1, a-correspending spindle 44 is utilized,having substantially the same structure as spindle 40 (Figs. 2, 3, 9,20, 23, and 33). Thus, the spindle 44, as shown most clearly in Fig. 9,is provided with diametrically opposite cam extensions 77, adapted toengage the inner surface of the washer 63 located in a depression in theside plate 24. Thus, these extensions prevent movement of spindle 44outwardly of the housing 2. Also, since the inner ends of the spindles46 and 44 approach close to each other, these spindles are restrainedagainst substantial inner movement. End plate 24, as shown most clearlyin Figs. 2, 14, 15, and 20, has the hub extension 64 within which thecam spindle 44 is rotatable. The end edges of hub extensions 41 and 64of end plates 25 and 24 cooperate with the knob sleeves to preventinward movement of the spindles.

Cam spindle 44 is joined to the outside knob 65 in a manner similar tothat described in connection with they knob 47. Thus, this knob 65 has asleeve extension 66 adapted to be slipped over the spindle 44. Thisspindle 44 is also made of rolled metal, and has a diameter slightlylarger than the inside diameter of the sleeve portion 66. This providesa frictional engagement, such as has been hereinabove described inconnection with the spindle 40.

The spindle 44 is provided with a through aperture 67 (Figs. 3, 13, and20) in alignment with the corresponding aperture 152 of the sleeveextension 66. A resilient spring arcuate member 63 (see, also, Fig. 13)is used to lock the spindle 44 in place in the sleeve 66. The wideprojection 62 of this lock member iits into a slot 199 in the spindle44, and the narrow projection 151 extends through the aligned openings67 and 152. Knob sleeve 66 also has a lip 199i: cooperating with eitherof the wide slots 153, 154 in spindle 44. The knob sleeves 46 and 66 areprovided with a pair of diametrically opposite apertures 57, 152 topermit the use of the same knob whatever may be the position of thelocking projections 59 and 151, corresponding to rightor left-handposition of latch bolt 7.

When a key lock set is used, the knob 65 is provided witha supplementalsleeve 69. This sleeve 69 is held against the right-hand end of thespindle 44, as by thev aid of the projections 70 formed on the sleeve69, which t into slots 153, 154 in the right-hand edge of spindle 44.The right-hand end of the sleeve 69 telescopes over the inwardlydirected ange 71 of the knob 65. A cylinder lock 72 is accommodated inthe sleeve 69. Bosses directed inwardly of the sleeve 69 serve to centerthe lock 72. Lock 72 has a radial projection 73 entering the wide slot156 formed in the sleeve 69. 1n this way, the l'o'ck isheld'frorn'turning. its keyhole end is made available'through-theopening in the ange "71 for a key.

i doors of diierent thicknesses.

Lock 72 has a projection 74 (see, also, Fig. 13) cooperating With theright-hand end of an inner spindle 75 (see,.also, Fig. 13). The innerend of this inner spindle 75 has oppositely directed AU-shaped ends 76,the spaced ends of which form a slot for the accommodation of theprojection 74 (see, also, Fig. 20).

Rotation of the knob 65 causes one or the other of the extensions 77 toengage the plate 32 of the latch grip, and the latch bolt 7 is therebyretracted. Similarly, by

`operation of a key kin the lock 72, one or the other of the edges 78 ofinner spindleV 75 operates the latch grip independently of ,the knob 65.f

The lock mechanism enclosed in the housing 2 is clamped within the bore3 by the aid of a pair of clamping plates 157 and 79 (Figs. 2, 3, 10,l1, 14 and 15). These clamping plates may be placed over the hubportions 41 and 64 of the housing plates 24 and 25. Each of the clampingplates 157 and Y79 is provided with an annular rib S or 81 (Figs. 2 and3) adapted to tit snugly within the bore 3. Each of these clampingplates may also be provided with sharp points 82 for engaging the outersurface of the door 1.

These clamping plates 157 and 79 are clamped together against theoutside surfaces of the door by the aid of a pair of hook members 83 and84 (see, also, Fig. 1). These hook members are ofridenticalconstruction, and their mode of operation may be best described inconnection with Figs. 14 and 15. These hook members are disposed atdiametrically opposite sides of the housing plates 24 and 25.

Thus, hook member 83 is of generally U-shaped con iguration. The ends ofthe legs extend through pairs of parallel slots 85 and 86 on plate 79(Fig. 20). These ends are formed into hooks 87, engaging the outersurface of the plate 79. The connecting member 88 for the legs of themember 83 is provided wtih a threaded aperture for engagement by amachine screw 89 that passes through plate 157. Accordingly, bytightening the screw 89, the;

clamping plates 78 and 79 are drawn together tightly upon opopsite,sidesV of the door 1.

The U-shaped members 83 and 84 are made long enough so that the clampingeffect may be provided for Further, in order to facilitate theadjustment of these members 83 and 84 to different door thicknesses, thelower edges of the legs of these members are each provided with a seriesof spaced slots 90. The edges of any set of corresponding slots mayinter-'engage with the edges of the slots 91 of the end plate 24. Thus,the hook member 83 may be arranged so that any one of the slots 90 ofeach leg may rethin metal. At one point 95 vof its periphery (Figs. 2and 20) the thin metal edge may be turnedinwardly to engage acorresponding outwardly directed point96 of the clamping plate 157.

Diametricallyopposite the point 95, thek rosette plate,V 94 is providedwith a rectangular aperture 97 (see, also, Fig. 10). Cooperating withthis aperture 97 is a latch bar 98. This latch 98 is slidable in aradial direction with respect to the clamping plate 157. Thus, for eX-ample, the clamping plate 157 may have a guiding strap 99 (Figs. 2, l0,1l, and 20). The bar 9S has an inwardly turned operating portion guidedby the strap 99. The inner side of this latch bar 9S engages the outersurface of the clamping plate 157. A compression spring 100 is confinedbetween the strap 99 and the inner end of he slot 101a formed in theclamping plate 157.

Accordingly, to remove the rosette plate 94, the end surface of thelatch 98 is depressed and the plate rotated about its axis.

A rosette plate 101 also is provided for the opposite clamping plate 79.While the same attaching means as for plate 94 may be provided, amodified form is shown. Rosette plate 101 has an outer flange turnedinwardly, as indicated at 102 (Fig. 2) for holding the rosette plate inplace with respect to clamping plate 79.

When the latch mechanism is to be used merely as a closet door set, orthe like, the knobs 47 and 65 may be replaced with thesimple knob, suchas shown by knob 193 of Fig. 24, and the lock 72 and inner spindle 75are omitted. Y

In a patio or porch type of lock, the key operated cylinder lock 72 isomitted, and a locking mechanism is provided in conjunction with theknob 47. A knob 198 is then substituted for the knob 675, so that thedoor may be locked and unlocked only from the inside.

This locking mechanism, in the form in Figs. 2, 3, 6, 7,

and 20, includes a locking bar 103. This locking bar103,

Adjustment, therefore, is available for the spacing of Y the clampingplates 157 and 79. The spacing between the clamping plates may vary fromthe dimension a of Fig. 14 to the dimension b of Fig. 15. Slots 90 maybe made to correspond with the standard door thickness.

Provisions are made to simplify assembly ofthe clamping plates inrelation to the door 1. Thus, as shown most clearly in Figs. 10 and 11,the clamping plate 157 is provided with keyhole slots 92 through whichthe heads 93 of the screws 89 may project. In the process of assembly,the screws 89 are rst threaded only part way into the members 83 and 84before the clamping plate 157 is assembled.Y Then, the clamping plate157 is moved axially and angularly to align the heads 93 of the screws89 with the large end of the keyhole slot 92 (Fig. 11). Then, theclamping plate 157 may be rotated in a counterclockwise direction, asviewed in Fig. 1l, to assume the position of Fig. 10. In this position,the screws 89 have reached the end of the narrow portion of the keyholeslot 92, and the screw may then be tightened.

. AY rosette plate94 is provided to cover the clampin plate 157. Thisrosette plate 94is made of,` relatively 105 in place.

when held in the locking position of Figs. 2 and 6, engages between theears 104 of the spindle 44 (see Figs. 2, 6, and 9). These inwardlyturned vears are punched from Ythe body of the spindle 44.

Accordingly, when the locking bar 103 is in this locking position, it isnot possible to turn the knob 65. n Of course, the inner spindle may beoperated by a key independently of the knob 65.

The locking bar may, however, be releasedrfromV the locked position ofFigs; 2, 3, and 6 to the unlocking position of Fig. 7. In this positionof Fig. 7, the door knob may be rotated to open the door.

When the locking bar 103is used, the lock gar guide 105 is supported inthe housing 2. This guide 105 is shown in the present instance made of apair of relatively thin metal members which may readily be punched toprovide the inwardly directed slot 106. Within this slot 106 the bar 103Vis slidable. The plate 32, as shown most clearly in Fig. 20, has a slot158 to clear the bar 103.

The guide member 105 is detachably held by the end wall of the housingmember 11. Thus, this housing member 11 (Fig. 20) is stamped to providethe guiding straps 107, and it is also provided with the rectangularopening 108 for the entry of'the guide bar 105. Inwardly directed straps109 cooperate with. the outwardly directed straps 107 for accommodatinga cotter pin, or other locking means, 110 for holding the guide memberFor this purpose, the guide member 105 is provided with the aperture111.

Of course, when assembling the door sets, the guide bar 105 and itscotter pin 110 may be omitted from those Y compression spring 114. Theleft-hand end ofthe spring agresser 114 abuts a restraining cap 115(see,`also, Fig. 29). Push button 112 is atached to this cap 115, as bythe inwardly directed edges engaging within slots 116, formed in theedge of cap 115 (Fig. 8). The cap 115 loosely encompasses the reducedend of the locking bar 103. A washer 117, passing over the left-hand endof the bar 103, is held in place by upsetting this end of the bar.

The cap 115 is provided with a radial projection 11S (see, particularly,Fig. 3), adapted to engage in the slot 51a of the spindle extension 50.Near the left-hand end of this slot 51a is a transverse slot 119. Thistransverse slot 119 has a sloping side 120 and a re-entrant portion 121providing an abutment 122.

When the push button 112, in the releasing position of Fig. 7, is urgedinwardly, the projection 118 moves along the slot 51a until the slopingsurface 120 is reached. Then the push button may be turned to bring theprojection 118 to the bottom or" the transverse slotV 119, and then thepush button 112 can be released. In this position, illustrated in Fig.6, the projection 118 is restrained against removal from the bottom ofthe slot Y 119 unless the push button 112 is rst urged inwardly and thenrotated to free projection 118 from the abutment 122. The push button112 is limited in its movement to the left by engagement of the ange 160(Fig. 29) of cap 115, with the inwardly turned ange 51 of knob 47.

Another type of push button operator for the lock bar' 103 isillustrated in Figs. 16, 17, 18, and 19. In this form, the bar 103carries, at its left-hand end, a spring hook structure 124. Thisstructure 124 is made of a at spring, having a bent end in which a slot125 (Fig. 18) is provided. The left-hand end of bar 103 extends throughthis slot. The cap 126 is substantially the same as the cap 115 exceptfor the omission of the projection 11S (Figs. 8 and 29).

The spring 124 extends through a slot 127 of the member 126. The spring124 has a hook end 124a adapted to enter an aperture 129 formed in thebody of the spindle extension 50.

The push button 130, made of thin sheet metal, is joined to cap 126 byupsetting the edge of the button to enter slots 116 (Fig. 29) of thecap.

Caps 115 and 126 are alike except for the fact that projection 118 isomitted for cap 126. Accordingly, the same punched part may be used forboth types of caps, and projection 118 is sheared oi when the cap 126 isto be formed for the type of push button lock shown in Figs. 16 and 17.

When the push button 130 is pushed inwardly, the hook end 124:1 engagesthe edge of aperture 129, as shown in Fig. 16. This is the lockedposition. Now, when the knob 47 is turned, the edge of aperture 129, asillustrated in Fig. 19, depresses the hook end 124:1, which is purposelymade with sloping sides; and the compression spring 114 urges lock bar103 toward the left for releasing the lock, as illustrated in Fig. 17.

The latch bolt structure is illustrated most clearly in Figs. 25, 26,and 27. In this structure, the latch bolt 7 is shown as made of hollowtubing with a cut-away corner 131 for the accommodation of a hook 132.This hook 132 engages the back of the striker plate 5, as shown in Figs.l and 2, so that unauthorized wedging or prying or" the latch bolt 7 isprevented when the door is locked.

This hook member 132 is formed on the end of a bar 133. At the inner end134, a pin 135 serves to pivot the hook member in ears 136. These earsare formed integrally with a sleeve 137 that is fastened to the insideof bolt 7. The pull bar 23 is pivotally joined to the inner end 134, asby the aid of the pin 138 passing through apertures 139 in the legs ofthe bar 23 and through the aperture 140 in the member 133. A compressionspring 141, enclosed in the housing 14, urges the pull bar 23 toward theright to closing position, as

well as the hook Vmember 132`to active position. Spring 141 operatesagainst a Washer 142 disposed over the pull bar 23 and provided with arectangular opening 143. Washer 142 is slidable in sleeve 137; and oneedge of the opening 143 is bent outwardly to engage the rear surface ofbar 133. Normally, spring 141 cocks the washer 14.2 to the positionshown in Fig. 25 to urge the hook 132 to engaging position. Thus, thespring serves to operate hook 132, as well as to urge the bolt 7 toprojected position.

When the pull rod 23 is pulled to the left, as indicated by arrow 148 ofFig. 25, the bar 133 is first rotated in a clockwise direction until theshoulder 144 on hook 132 engages the edge 145 of opening 131. This freesthe hook 132 from the striker plate 15. Continued movement of the pullbar 23 thenretracts the latch bolt 7 from the striker plate. Latch bolt7 is provided with holes 260 to permit assembly of pin 135 with ears136.

When it is desired to provide a bathroom lock, or the like, the cylinderkey lock 72 is omitted. In its place, a resilient forked bar (Figs. 22and 23) is substituted therefor. The bent end llis placed within thearcuate parts 76 of the lock spindle 75. The shoulders 146, formed onthe bar 150, limit inward movement of this bar. The free ends of the barare restrained by a plate or cap 162 disposed within the ange 71 of knob65 and held against removal by the outwardly turned flange 163. This cap162 has a relatively wide transverse slot 164 for the accommodation of ascrew driver blade, or the like, for turning the cap 162, and therebythe member 150, for operating the lock from the outside of the door. Theedges of slot 164 are reinforced by the inwardly turned ribs 170.

For the simplest form of door set, the operating parts, including thespring 114 and the push button 112, or 130, is omitted. The cylinderlock 72 and the guide bar 105 are also omitted. In such a simple set,turning of either of the knobs serves to move the latch grip 30horizontally.

To provide a patio or back porch lock, either of the two forms of pushbuttons shown in Figs. 6 or 16 may be utilized. In this connection, theguide bar 105 is retained, but a simple knob, such as 198, without acylinder lock 72, is used on the outside of the door.

In the next form of lock, knob 65 is substituted for the knob 198, withthe bent bar 150, as illustrated in Fig. 22. This provides a bathroomlock.

In the most complex form, a substitution is made for the bar 150; and,instead, the cylinder lock 72 is used, as illustrated in Fig. 2.

The manufacturer of these door sets may then appropriately choose theparts required for supplying the selected kind of door set.

in the simple type of door sets, the hook restraint 132 (Fig. 25) isunnnecessary. Instead, a type of latch bar may be used such as is shownin Figs. 34, 35, and 36.

In this form, the hollow latch bolt 201 is slidable in housing 14.Attached to the interior of this latch bolt is a anged collar 202. Thiscollar has an opening 203 for the accommodation ofthe legs 204 of thepull bar 23. In order to couple these legs to the collar 202 (and thusto the latch bolt 201), the edges of these legs are provided with slot205. The center portion of opening 203 is made wider, as shown mostclearly in Fig. 36, so as to pass the legs 204 which may be urgedtogether for this purpose. When, when slots 205 are in alignment withthe edges of the aperture 203, the legs 204 are released to assume theposition of Fig. 35. In this position, the upper and lower edges of theopening 203 are engaged with slots 205.

The compression spring 141 is received in the collar 202 to urge thelatch to engaging position.

In order to prevent the legs 204 of bar 23 from being accidentally movedinto the wider portion of opening 203 (thus uncoupling the parts), thewasher 142 is placed over the bar 23 so that the edge 143 extendsbetween the 1 1 legs. In assembling the parts, therefore, the spring141, together with washer 142, must be retracted away from the free endsof legs 204, and until the legs assume the coupling position. v

The inventors claim:

l. In a door latch mechanism: a housing; said housing having a pair ofend walls; one end wall having slots at opposite edges of the wall;door-engaging plates; one of said plates having openings aligned withthe slots in said end wall; hook members extending through the alignedopenings and slots; and screws passing through the other plateandthreaded into said hook members.

2. In a door latch mechanism: a housing; said housing having a pair ofend walls; one end wall having slots at opposite edges of the wall;door-engaging plates; one of said plates having openings aligned withthe slots in said end wall; hook members extending through the alignedopenings and slots; said hook members having spaced slots the edges ofwhich interengage the edges of the slots in the said one end wall foradjusting the position of the hook members; and screws passing throughthe other plate and threaded into said hook members.

3. In a door latch mechanism: a housing; said housing having a pair ofend walls; one end wall having two pairs of slots respectively atopposite edegs of the wall, the slots in each pair being parallel; apair of door-engaging p plates; one of said plates having openingsaligned with the slots; a pair of hook members, each having two legsterminating in hooks engaging the outer side of said one plate, saidlegs passing through the openings and slots; and screws passing throughthe other plate and respectively threaded into the hook members.

4. In a door latch mechanism: a housing; said housing having a pair ofend walls; one end wall having two pairs of slots respectively atopposite edges of the wall, the slots in each pair being parallel; apair of door-engaging plates; oneV of said plates having openingsaligned with the slots; a pair of hook members, each having two legsterminating in hooks engaging the outer side of said one plate, saidlegs passing through the openings and slots; said legs having spacedslots the edges of which interengage the edges of the slots in the saidone end wall for adjusting the position of the hook members; and screwspassing through the other plate and respectively threaded into the hookmembers.

5. In a door latch mechanism: a housing for slidably accommodating amovablelatch grip; a guide member having a slot for guidingly receivinga clogging bar, said guide member extending into the housing to positionsaid slot therein, said guide member having a through aperture; and aremovable pin carried by said housing; said housing having meansdefining a space guidingly receiving said pin, said aperture beingaligned with said space, said pin also extending through said aperture.i

6. In a Vdoor latch mechanism: a housing for slidably accommodating amovable latch grip; a guide member having a slot for guidingly receivinga dogging bar, said guide member extending into the housing to positionsaid Vslot therein, said guide member having a through aperture; saidhousing having an aperture through which said guide member extends, saidhousing also having a pair of 12` straps on opposite sides of saidhousing apertureg'and a removable pin extending through said straps andsaid aperture of said guide member.,

7. In a door latch mechanism: a housing for slidably accommodatingamovable latch grip; a guide member having a noncircular slot forguidingly receiving a dogging bar and for conning the baragainstranguiar movement, said guide member extending into said housingto position said slot therein, said guide member having a throughaperture; said housing having an aperture into which said guide memberextends, said housing also having a pair of straps on opposite sides ofsaid housing aperture; and a removable pin extending through said strapsand said aperture of said'guide member.

8. In a door latch mechanism: a door-engaging plate carried by themechanism; a rosette having a ange telescopingly receiving said plate;said plate having a radially extending slot, and a strap extendingtransversely of said slot at one end thereof; a latch bar guided forradial movement by said strap, said latch bar having a reduced portionextending in juxtaposed relationship with respect to said slot; acompression spring surrounding Vsaid reduced portion and accommodated insaid slot, one end ofv said spring engaging said plate at the other endof said slot, the other end of said spring engaging said latch bar; saidflange having an aperture receiving said latch bar.

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